president obama and mitt romney met privately at the white house today to chew over the nation's economic issues. it was the first time they have been together face to face since their contentious campaigns. cbs reporter tara mergener on the political power lunch. >> reporter: mitt romney got out of an suv and walked into the white house alone. the former republican nominee then sat down with president obama for a private lunch. aides say the president wanted to hear the businessman's ideas on how to make government run smoother. >> somebody with governor romney's experience clearly would have insight into how to maximize efficiency in an operation like the federal government. >> reporter: the lunch is the first time they met since they battled it out on the campaign trail. >> the president doesn't have a plan. he is out of ideas. he is out of excuses. >> reporter: keeps changing up so much and backtracking and side-stepping... i think it's called romnesia. >> reporter: the lunch in the white house dining room appears to be a one-time affair. aides say president obama does not plan to off